The left-back, a boyhood Chelsea fan, is keen to speak to the Blues ahead of the summer but Old Trafford sources have also received indications that the 18-year-old would be open to joining David Moyes's side.

Moyes has been promised a staggering war chest of £150m this June after he broke the club's transfer record to sign Juan Mata for £37m in January and the manager sees overhauling the club's defence as a key priority.

United announced on Thursday that Nemanja Vidic will leave the club at the end of the season, with Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra - the man whom Shaw would immediately replace in Moyes's side - also set to see their contracts expire. Rafael and Alexander Buttner will also be told that they can leave the club should United receive acceptable offers.

Moyes has privately made clear to United officials that he remains unconvinced by Rafael and is pursuing options at both right-back and centre-back, as well as Shaw, with Benfica's Ezequiel Garay, Seamus Coleman of Everton and Porto star Eliaquim Mangala having all been considered as defensive recruits by the Scot.

United are set to face competition for Shaw directly from Chelsea and Tottenham, who have both shown an interest in the youngster since he emerged as the brightest English prospect in his age group.

The left-back's future is complicated by the fact that his management team, Stellar Group, also represents Ashley Cole, who wants a new Chelsea deal when his current contract expires in the summer.

United insiders are confident that they would be able to guarantee Shaw first-team football should he opt for a move to Manchester, with Moyes's other recent left-back target, Leighton Baines, having committed his long-term future to Everton in January.